Aaaand FIGHT!

[FrostyToast]

How high will this thing go? I won't expect it to be $1000 considering it's a blue label and not industrial but I expect it to go up fast.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Keyboard-model-M-without-numeric-keypad-/370999281323

[fohat.digs]

Pretty shabby, Lexmark blue label and no cable.

We have seen some high numbers lately, maybe this one will set a benchmark for the low end of the scale.

[FrostyToast]

Pretty shabby, Lexmark blue label and no cable.

We have seen some high numbers lately, maybe this one will set a benchmark for the low end of the scale.

It's still good. If you manage to get a cable, all of that grime (including the residue at the front) could be removed with some love and care.

[dorkvader]

I opened the bidding at $50 before this was posted.

Just for the LOLs.  I plan to make a nnew SDL cable.

[smknjoe]

That thing is rough and you have no way of knowing if it even works from the listing. It probably does though. That part # doesn't even show up on the clickykeyboards archive. That must be one of the last iterations made. Which also makes it less desirable to me. I hope FH is right and someone gets this for a good price...it's certainly the crappiest one I've seen in a while.

[smknjoe]

I'll also add that considering the shape it's in, not knowing if it works, and that it's one of the last ones made (aka less desirable), and even considering today's prices, it shouldn't go for more than $75-$100.

[neunelfer]

I'll also add that considering the shape it's in, not knowing if it works, and that it's one of the last ones made (aka less desirable), and even considering today's prices, it shouldn't go for more than $75-$100.

It shouldn't, but I'd be willing to bet it will go for at least $200.

[smknjoe]

Just remember folks, you don't have to overpay if you don't want to. That's all I'm saying. This one sold for less than $175 and is in pristine condition - with a cable (that will cost another $20-$30 to replace.)  http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Space-Saving-Keyboard-PS2-SSK-Buckling-Spring-Clicky-Mechanical-Keyboard-/161196185536?pt=AU_Input_Peripherals&hash=item25880a97c0&nma=true&si=8IpErxm6hS6HW7ozm%252FGQSFmf7zE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[dorkvader]

That thing is rough and you have no way of knowing if it even works from the listing. It probably does though. That part # doesn't even show up on the clickykeyboards archive. That must be one of the last iterations made. Which also makes it less desirable to me. I hope FH is right and someone gets this for a good price...it's certainly the crappiest one I've seen in a while.

All I care about is the membrane (and maybe part of the case); the rest can be (easily) replaced. I have a plate from a terminal M that I'll cut down and use instead during the bolt mod.

That said, I bet it'll go for more than my max bid of $50. That's why I bid early: I don't expect to win.

[smknjoe]

My post wasn't directed towards you, Dork. It was more for the "newbs" who have been paying way too much for these things recently. Not all SSKs are created equal. Especially when you factor in condition.

[smknjoe]

This very early model (1987) was $170 and came in the condition you see. The keycaps have better printing too.

[fohat.digs]

This very early model (1987) was $170 and came in the condition you see. The keycaps have better printing too.

This week?

[smknjoe]

Nope, July.

Edit: and it came from Ebay. Plus, the seller had listed it with a reserve of $190 because it was in such good condition and it didn't sell. So, he lowered the price and I grabbed it.

[tjcaustin]

Good ol' geekhack.  Bid early bid high

[smknjoe]

Good ol' geekhack.  Bid early bid high

LOL, I know. That's why I say the prices are artificially inflated...because they are. Strange bidding practices for sure.

[dorkvader]

Good ol' geekhack.  Bid early bid high

looks like I've been outbid.

My strategy is to find uncommon, unusual or mis-listed items and be the only bidder.

[Charizard^]

Keyboard Inflation 

[smknjoe]

Keyboard Inflation 

Lot's of shill bidding.

[riotonthebay]

And while people fight over thousand dollar keyboards, this ugly little fella is still sitting at a hundred...

[smknjoe]

Good because it's a POS as far I can tell. If the outside is any indication of the inside it will need a complete rebuild.

[EverythingIBM]

Good because it's a POS as far I can tell. If the outside is any indication of the inside it will need a complete rebuild.

Oh it's not too hard to rebuild a model M. Just takes a little time and some tools. You get more satisfaction out of fixing something afterwards anyways-- much more than paying excessive amounts haha. The SSKs would be easier too since they don't require as much bolts as the full length Ms. Just don't crack the barrel planar.
If it wasn't going to go for around $200 already, it would be a fun restoration project for sure.

[smknjoe]

$160 is double what it's worth. I hope the buyer doesn't have dump too much more money/time into it.

[EverythingIBM]

Remember, value is all relative.
I got Model Ms for $0.00 at times.

Some people pay more, some people pay less etc.

[smknjoe]

Remember, you were bragging about bidding up the Industrial SSK.
So, because of bidders like you and the avarice of some buyers...prices have more than doubled in recent months.
Only if buyers stop overpaying will the prices come back down to more realistic numbers.

I don't have a dog in this fight since I'm not in the market to buy or sell. I just want the uniformed or newer members to know that the current pricing is very new and if they don't overpay the prices will drop.

[bueller]

Remember, you were bragging about bidding up the Industrial SSK.
So, because of bidders like you and the avarice of some buyers...prices have more than doubled in recent months.
Only if buyers stop overpaying will the prices come back down to more realistic numbers.

I don't have a dog in this fight since I'm not in the market to buy or sell. I just want the uniformed or newer members to know that the current pricing is very new and if they don't overpay the prices will drop.

I doubt that GH'ers influence the price that much. People seem to think the prices are 'artificially inflated' but did you ever stop to think that mechanical keyboards are just becoming a lot more popular? Sure some of the SSK's have been selling for silly prices but I wouldn't expect to be able to buy them for less than a couple of hundred bucks any more.

[EverythingIBM]

Remember, you were bragging about bidding up the Industrial SSK.
So, because of bidders like you and the avarice of some buyers...prices have more than doubled in recent months.
Only if buyers stop overpaying will the prices come back down to more realistic numbers.

I don't have a dog in this fight since I'm not in the market to buy or sell. I just want the uniformed or newer members to know that the current pricing is very new and if they don't overpay the prices will drop.

I just happened to have randomly wanted an industrial Model M at this particular given time. The over-priced regular Ms I don't touch.

It's worth noting that Model F ATs have become super cheap now. Before they would go for like $400+ Aaaand back in around 2009 Black M13s were going for like $20.

So prices fluctuate, just how a market works.

[fohat.digs]

It's worth noting that Model F ATs have become super cheap now.

Any serious keyboard collector should own a Model F, and the AT is the one that has very few "problems" for utility in the real world.

If you don't have it, and can nab one for <$100, you should pounce on it while you can.

[ZeDestructor]

It's worth noting that Model F ATs have become super cheap now.

Any serious keyboard collector should own a Model F, and the AT is the one that has very few "problems" for utility in the real world.

If you don't have it, and can nab one for <$100, you should pounce on it while you can.

I should build a Soarer converter... I have 3 Model Fs inbound....

EDIT: 122-key Model Fs that is.

[Pacifist]

It's worth noting that Model F ATs have become super cheap now.

Any serious keyboard collector should own a Model F, and the AT is the one that has very few "problems" for utility in the real world.

If you don't have it, and can nab one for <$100, you should pounce on it while you can.

I should build a Soarer converter... I have 3 Model Fs inbound....

EDIT: 122-key Model Fs that is.

Where'd you get 122 key Fs?

[ZeDestructor]

It's worth noting that Model F ATs have become super cheap now.

Any serious keyboard collector should own a Model F, and the AT is the one that has very few "problems" for utility in the real world.

If you don't have it, and can nab one for <$100, you should pounce on it while you can.

I should build a Soarer converter... I have 3 Model Fs inbound....

EDIT: 122-key Model Fs that is.

Where'd you get 122 key Fs?

Lot's of searching, finding the correct listing and getting my CC stolen (not really) by dodgy chinese sellers

In that same buy batch, I also got a Black M13 for under 25$ shipped to my contact in HK. Admittedly it's missing the "-" cap on the numpad (from the pictures. Seller may have just removed it for taking pictures of the spring), but I can replace that fairly easily.

My whole order came out to under $200 for three 122-key Fs, a black M13 and a compact ThinkPad-style keyboard+trackpoint (SK-8855 for the curious).

Now to find a cheap industrial SSK M....

[fohat.digs]

My whole order came out to under $200 for three 122-key Fs, a black M13 and a compact ThinkPad-style keyboard

Holy Sh!t

That is a fantastic deal. After you are finished, describe how you did it.

[Pacifist]

My whole order came out to under $200 for three 122-key Fs, a black M13 and a compact ThinkPad-style keyboard

Holy Sh!t

That is a fantastic deal. After you are finished, describe how you did it.

Please do. I want a F-122

[ZeDestructor]

My whole order came out to under $200 for three 122-key Fs, a black M13 and a compact ThinkPad-style keyboard

Holy Sh!t

That is a fantastic deal. After you are finished, describe how you did it.

Please do. I want a F-122

Once I get mine, and all of my friends guarantee me they don't want any, I shall